NTPC to spend Rs 500 cr on UP plant upgrade

The plant, which is already 30 years old, has five units of 200 MW each and two units of 500 MW

NTPC will spend Rs 500 crore on renovation and modernisation of its flagship 2,000-Mw Singrauli thermal power plant in Sonebhadra district of Uttar Pradesh. The plant, 30 years old, has five units of 200 Mw each and two units of 500 Mw each.

The modernisation project, which begins in the next financial year, would be spread over 3-4 years, NTPC Limited Regional Executive Director (North) Sharad Anand said.

A power plant ideally needs to be upgraded after 25 years to maintain optimum output and efficiency. The first unit of Singrauli plant was commissioned more than 30 years ago and it needs renovation, he said.

India’ largest power generator has four operational thermal plants in UP at Singrauli; Rihand in Sonebhadra (2,500 Mw with 500 Mw additional under construction); Unchachar in Rae Bareli (1,050 Mw); and Tanda in Ambedkarnagar (440 Mw), totaling 5,990 Mw.

Meanwhile, more thermal units are either proposed in existing plants or greenfield power plants in UP totaling about 4,500 Mw.

This includes 1,320-Mw plant (2x660 Mw) at Meja in Allahabad district through a joint venture with UP Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam. While civil work is in progress, an additional 1,320 Mw (2x660 Mw) is also proposed there.

Similarly, capacity addition of 1,320 Mw (2x660 Mw) is proposed at Tanda II and land acquisition for that is in progress, he said.